Time-stamp



(No Model.) -10 Sheets-Sheet 1.

0. STAHLBERG. TIME STAMP.

No. 552,647. Patented Jan.-'7, 1896.

| (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. STAHLBERG. TIME STAMP.

No. 552,647. Patented Jan. '7, 1896.

(No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 U. STAHLBERG. TIME STAMP.

No. 552,647. Patented Jan. '7, 1896;

4 az dzzz (No Model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 4. C .STAHLBERG.

TIME STAMP.

No. 552,647. Patented Jan; 7, 1896.

(No Model.) 10 Sheds-Sheet. 5.

G. STAHLBERG. TIME STAMP.

No. 552,647. Patented Jan. '7, 1896.

AIIIIIIIIIIIII m EIIIIIH Q AN DREW BGRAHAM, P'IUTO'UNIQWASHINEYON DC (No Model.) 10 sheets-sneer, 6.

C. STAHLBERG;

TIME STAMP.

pal"??? (No Model.) 10 sheets sheet 7.

G. STAHLBBRG.

TIME STAMP. No. 552,647. Patented Jan. 7, 1896.

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(No model.) 10 Sheets-Sheet 9.

0. STAHLBERG'. TIME STAMP. No. 552,647. Patented Jam 7, 1896.

(No Model.) 10 Shets-Shet 10.

G. STAHLBERG.

- TIME STAMP.

No. 552.647. v Patentedfian. v, 1896.

AN DREW IGRAHAM. PNOTDUTHOWASHI M510". 0 C

lUiviTnn STATES PATENT OFF cE.

CHARLES U'IAIIIABERG, OF CIIIGAGO, ILLINOIS.

TlM E-STAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,647, dated January '7, 1896.

Application filed November 14,1892. Renewed June 13, 1895. Serial No. 552,733. (No model.)

To all whont it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES STAHLBERG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of (look and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in TimeStamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in time-stamps of the kind employed for marking or printing a date ascertained by the condition of time-keepingclock mechanism. In devices of this character it is usual to provide a case surmounted by a presser, and having in its upper part type-faces brought serially into printing position by an arrangement ofmechanism actuated by the clock mechanism in recording the passage of time.

The purpose of my invention is primarily to simplify the construction of devices of this character, incidentally, and largely by this means, rendering the operation more perfect.

It is a further object of my invention so to construct and arrange a device having the attributes before described that it shall pre sent the greatest possible economy in space.

It is a further object of my invention to provide for the accurate and firm presentation of the type to the printed surface during the act of printing or otherwise marking and registering the time.

It is a further object of my invention to cause the operation of the time-stamp mechanism to be performed with the least possible strain upon the clock -driving spring, and

hence to reduce to the minimum if not entirely to prevent any interference with the timekeeping qualities of the clock.

It is a further object of myinvention to provide in a device of this character for the printing of the month, day, hour, minute and meconsists in the general and specific construction and arrangement of parts and details, all as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a device embodying my invention, the view being taken on the arrow 1, Fig. 5, the printing-wheels being omitted as well as the presser and ribbon-carrying apparatus. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 2 of Fig. Fig. 3, a similar view taken on the line 3 of Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation taken on the line 4 of Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the operating mechanism. Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the upper part of the device, on an enlarged scale, on the line 6 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation of the hour printing mechanism operating-cam, taken on the line 7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a similar view of the meridian-wheel-controlling cam. Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of the levers mounted on their shafts which engage the cams, respectively, which control the hour printing and meridian printing and minutetens wheels, and which actuate the printing- Wheels by engagement with their ratchets. Fig.10 is a view in front elevation of the minute printing-wheel, showing the mode of revolving the same, the view being taken on the line 10 of Fig. 24 on a reduced scale; Fig. 11, a similar View of the minute-tens printing-wheel, the view being taken in part 011 a reduced scale 011 the line 11 of Fig. 24. Fig. 12, a similar view taken in part on a reduced scale on the line 12 of Fi 24, and showing the escapement mechanism employed with the minute-units wheel. Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 13 of Fig. 1, and showing the shaft carrying the gear-wheel through which motion is communicated to the minute-units printing-wheel as well as to the other mechanisms indicated upon the same sheet. Fig. 14 is a view in front elevation of the spring-barrel on the shaft, Fig. 13, the view being taken on the line 14 of that figure. Fig. 15 is a front elevation of a detail mounted on the same shaft for adjusting the tension of the spring, the view being taken on line 15 of Fig. 13. Fig.

16 is a view in front elevation of the dayunits printing-wheel and its immediate attendant mechanism taken on the line 16 of Fig. 6; Fig. 17, a similar view of the same wheel with the driving-pinion and other attendant parts removed; Fig. 18, a vertical central section taken through the day-units Wheel, taken on the line 18 of Fig. 7. Fig. 1.9 is a rear elevation of the month printingwheel, showing its ratchet and the spur-tooth disk which actuates the same, taken on the line 19 of Fig. 22 and reduced in scale. Fig. 20 is a similar view of the date-tens printingwheel, showing its ratchet and the spurpointed disk operating the same, taken on the line 20 of Fig. 22 and reduced in scale. Fig. 21 is a view in rear elevation of the puncturing-lever to print a period or the like between the hour and minute tens. Fig. 22 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the shaft carrying the dateprinting-actuating mechanism, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. is a front view of the spring-barrel and attendant parts, taken on the line 23 of Fig. 22. Fig. 24 is an enlarged longitudinal vertical section taken through the printingwheels, the immediate revolving mechanism for which is omitted for the purpose of the view. Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic illustration of the appearance of the printingsurfaces of the various wheels shown in Fig. 2i. Fig. 26 is a perspective view enlarged of the adj ustable cam which controls the position of the skipping-wheel, the function of which is to provide for skipping one to three dates for months having less than thirty-one days. Fig. 27 is a perspective view, enlarged, of the skipping-wheel. Fig. 28 is a view in elevation of the upper end of the device, showing the relative position of the presser; Fig. 29, an illustrative view of the print made with the device involving the exact details previously illustrated. Fig. 30 is a view in side elevation of the mechanism detached more particularly connected with the movement of the minute-units, minute-tens, hour, and meridian printing-wheels. Fig. 31 is a front sectional elevation of the same, taken on the line 31 of Fig. 30. Fig. 32 is a view in side elevation of the mechanism detached more particularly connected with the movement of the date printing-wheels; and Fig. 33 is a sectional front elevation of the same, taken on the line 33 of Fig. 32.

All sectional views herein illustrated are to be viewed in the direction of the arrows where given.

The act of printing in the case of my present improvement, as in the case of timestamps generally,is performed by pressing the paper to be printed upon against the printingtype carried by the type-wheels, through an intermediate inkribbon. In Fig. 28 the arrangement of presser is illustrated and its relation to the stamp is shown, and in this figure (L23 represents the support; a, the padholder; (W, the presser which receives the impact of the hand, and a the inking-ribbon.

\Vhile for the purposes of clear illustration I have shown, particularly in Figs. 1 to 5, the train of gears, springs, dial, and pointers, which are in the main involved exclusively in the time-indicating operation of the device, inasmuch as these parts need not and in the main do not involve any novel construction or arrangement, it is considered unnecessary in this specification to go into minute explanation thereof. It maybe stated, however, that movement of the minute units printing-wheel and thereby of the minute tens, hour and meridian printing-wheels is controlled by the clock-escapement, and the movement of these wheels is produced by a conserved power obtained from the clock.- movement. The escapement referred to is that indicated at A, Fig. 3. From this explanation it will be understood that although the time-stamp mechanism which forms the subject-matter of this invention is shown in immediate association with a time-indicating clock, and is in part contrived for such association, it is not limited to any sort of propinquity therewith, but may be removed any distance from the clock so long as means be provided for causing the movement of the escapement to be transmitted to the time-stamp device. The order of the clock-gear is indicated in number from 1 to 0' in the figures. Tracing the connection it will be found that upon the shaft X of the fifth wheel 5' is mounted what may be described as a heart-shaped cam 13, having three points and depressions and revolving with said shaft. (See Figs. 3 and 12.) The relation of the heart-shaped cam B to the forks 25 is such as to produce not merely the oscillation of the arm t by the pressure of a curved surface B but to retain and hold the arm against unintended oscillation or vibration by the engagement of the opposite curved face 13 with the opposite fork 25 This function is one of considerable importance.

It is to be borne in mind that a time-stam of the kind to which this invention is particularly directed is in its use subjected to a sharp blow of the presser, the effect of which may very easily be to jar the delicate mechanism thereof and if not prevented to cause an objectionable vibration or movement of the arm 1. As the heart-shaped cam B is of dimension to cause both forks t to be at all times engaged by the cam-surface 13* or B, one to advance and the other to restrain motion, it is quite apparent that no vibration in this arm or undue oscillation is possible.

Supported on a proper pivot, as in the shaft 25, is the escapement-arm t, terminatingin the forks t the pins upon which are in contact with the cam-surfaces on the cam B. Proj ecting forward from the shaft 6 is the pallet s, which in turn at its extremity is adapted to engage the spurs s on the ratchet or escapement wheel .9 which is mounted upon the minute-units. printing-wheel O. The pallet s terminating in the entering-tooth s" is adapted to engage the printing wheel 0 in the usual manner, as indicated in Fig. 12. The pallets s and are as usual practically integral, and their oscillation upon the Pivot afforded on the shaft 15 causes the motion of the printing-wheel to be intermittent in the usual manner. It will be observed that this intermittent motion is produced by the revolution of the heart-shaped cam B upon the shaft of the fifth wheel, and this movement is regulated by the escapement A of the clock, the connection for which purpose is of the usual nature.

On the shaft C of the fourth wheel of the clock, between the pinion C thereon and a collar 0 is located the mechanism which receives immediately the motion of the clock movement and transmits the same to the time-stamp mechanism. This mechanism comprises a spring D set within a barrel D, one end of said spring being secured to the barrel and the other to the shaft, as fully illustrated in Fig. 14:. The barrel D is secured to and carries with it a gear-wheel E. The barrel D is loose upon the shaft 0 and car ries in addition to the gear-wheel E the pinion E, Fig. As the shaft 0 is rotated by the clock-train while the gear-wheel E, as will presently be shown, is held by the escapement illustrated in Fig. 12, it will be apparent that by reason of the connection with the spring just mentioned the latter is wound up until the gear-wheel E is released. The tension of the spring D may be varied to suit the requirements of the apparatus in the usual manner. In Fig. 13 is shown a con venient and common arrangement for this purpose, which consists in providing in the hub D projecting inward from the face-plate l) of the springbarrel a laterally-elongated aperture on each side, through which apertures and the shaft 0 the pin D" is inserted after the tension of the spring has been fixed by turning in the usual manner.

As before observed and as will be quite apparent on examination of Figs. 6 and 10, the gear-wheel E meshes with the pinion E on the printing-wheel O which prints the minute-units, and the motion of the wheel E is made intermittent by the action of the escapement s, s and controlled by the heart-shaped cam 13.

It may here be stated that all the printingwheels are in the form of apparatus particulari y illustrated, arranged side by side on a common shaft 02, but are independently rotatable, the rotation of each being produced by its immediate connections. Of these printing-wheels the four at the right, respectivelythe meridian 1, minute units 2, the wheel for multiple of minutes usually minute tens 3, and hour printing-wheels 4tare controlled in their motions by the movement of the gear-wheel E, under the release of the spring 1) controlled by the escapement s 3 5 whereas the date units-wheel 5, date tenswheel (5 and month-wheel 7 are moved by other mechanism, regulated, however, from the same escapement that regulates the motion of the gear-wheel E.

The minute-tens wheel 3 mounted on the common shaft 00 has upon its face the ratchet F. This wheel is provided for multiple of minutes, and as I prefer that this multiple shall be ten 1 so designate the wheel throughout the description. The frame of the clock is divided into two parts by an intermediate open partition Y, which serves as the bearing for one end of certain of the various shafts and rods hereinafter mentioned. The front plate Y and the back plate Y, the latter of which is shown in front and back elevation in Figs. 3 and at, are also provided for their I the various retaining-pawls, which engage the ratchets on the printing-wheels, as hereinafter described. The rodr affords an end bearing for each of the springs which control the motion of the pawls. On the opposite side of the frame there are supplied similar rods 1' 7' and r each of which, like the rods 4" r, is non-rotating and serves as a bearing for various parts of the wheel-moving mechanism. Below the elevation of the printingwheel and extending from front to back of the frame are two shafts nearly side by side, r and 7 which shafts are caused to oscillate on their bearings in the frame to carry with them the mechanism which produces the rotation intermittingly of the type-carrying wheels. Loosely mounted upon the shaft 7' through the medium of a sleeve 19 is an upward-extending arm F from which, at a point intermediate of its ends, projects forward the lift-arm F At the upper extremity the arm F carries the pawl F the point of which engages the teeth on the ratchet F in such manner as to cause forward movement thereof. In the rear of the upper extremity of the arm F the rod 7' extends from front to back of the frame. The pawl F has a rearward extending curved tailpiece F which is so arranged that as the arm F assumes a vertical position, or nearly so, the tailpiece may rise without contact with the rod r whereas when the arm F is inclined forward to the position shown in Fig. 11 the end of the tailpiece F" will be in line with the rod 1 so that in case of a tendency to a forward motion of the ratchet E, which by the engagement of the inclined face of the teeth with the dog would tend to depress the latter, the engagement of the tailpiece with the rod preventing this depression will serve as a stop upon the forward motion of the ratchet. Extending upward from a lug upon the lower end of the arm F is a spring F, the upper end of which is connected to the rod W. This spring tends normally to hold in its forward position the arm F and ratchet moved thereby. The other member of the escapement is supplied in the upward curved pawl F journaled on the rod 9' held in engagement with the ratchet by the lifting action of the spring W connected with the rod 4'.

On the shaft C and secured to the hub mounted loosely thereon, Figs. 13 and 0, is the three-step cam G. The cam G is so mounted upon the shaft 0 with relation to the arm F that the lift-arm F rigidly secured to the arm F is engaged and lifted by the cam-surface on the cam G, the effect being to push the arm F backward to the vertical or nearly vertical position, thereby withdrawing the pawl F from one ratchet-tooth to cause its engagement with another, the return motion of the arm under the action of the spring when the lift-arm F falls at the step producing the advance of the ratchetwheel in this manner. "his, of course, produces an equal motion in the type-wheel to bring a new type-face in line for printing. The cam G being mounted on the same hub as the gear-wheel E has the same motion as the latter, which takes place intermittingly, and by the arrangement here shown the fall of the lift-arm F with consequent advance of the ratchet-wheel and printing-wheel, takes places every ten minutes to bring a new minute-tens type in line with the printing. As the cam G is on the same hub as the gear wheel E and thus has the same intermitting motion as the minute units type-wheel there is obtained sufficient annular distance to the motion of the cam to permit ample clearance for the lift-arm to fall off the step at the proper minute.

Upon the shaft ll, corresponding with the third wheel-shaft of the clock-train, there is mounted a hub ll made in two parts secured together by a set-screw 0. The inner part of the hub carries at one end an hour cam-disk ll and meridian cam-disk H The outer section of the hub H carries toward one end the gear-wheel II, which meshes with the pinion E on the hub D Fig. (5. The hub 11 is journaled upon the shaft H between collars secured to the shaft at either end of the hub. From this gear connection it will be evident that the intermitting motion of the wheel E is transmitted to thehour and meridian cams I1 H Of these two cams, which are otherwise similar, the cam H or hour-cam has two steps while the cam II or meridiancam has one step. This arrangement causes the stepping of the hourcam to take place twice in a single revolution thereof, so that the movement of the hour printing-wheel, which is caused by the steps, takes place twice to every revolution of the cam. The meridian-cam, on the other hand, revolving once for every step, causes in the meridian printing-wheel twelve intermitting motions to every twenty-four motions of the hour printing-wheel; or, in other words, there is required in the meridian printing-wheel onehalf the number of type that would be necessary if the motion thereof was the same as the motion of the hour printing-wheel. llence the dimension of type and the size of the typewheel may be uniform in the two wheels.

The connection between the hour and meridian cams and the prin tin g-wheels is the following: Upon the shaft 0' and rigidly secured thereto, which shaft, as before described, oscillates upon its bearing in the frame, is the upward-extendin g arm I, carrying at its upper end a pawl I, having a tailpiece 1 which pawl engages a ratchet l on the hour printingwheel 4: in the same manner as the connection with the minute-tens wheel. (Shown in Fig. 11.) The other member of the escapement is supplied by the upward-curved pawl I", journaled on the rod 1'', and held in engagement with the ratchet-wheel by a spring 1 secured to the rod 0". From the shaft 4", with which it oscillates, projects inward the liftarm I, having at its extremity the pin 0, which with the cam ll produces the intermittent lifting and dropping of the arm I with consequent intermitting advance of the ratchet-wheel I and hour printing-wheel 4;. The meridian printing-wheel 1 has upon its face a ratchet K which engaged by a pawl K, having a tailpiece K and mounted on the upper extremity of the arm K, the lower bearing of which is in a hub 0 on the oscillating shaft 0', from which hub extends inward the lift-arm K having at its extremity a pin 0 which engages the cam H lSoth arms I and K are held normally in an advanced position by springs 0 leading from a projection at the rear of the lift-arm 1 K and secured at the upper end to the rod 0".

The operation, except for the difference of the number of steps,is the same with the mechanism connected with the meridian printingwheel as it is with the mechanism connected with the hour printing-wheelthat is to say, as the cam H rotates intermitting-1y the lift arm K is raised and the pawl K" is withdrawn, and when the lift-arm drops at the step of the cam the ratchet-wheel engaged by the pawl K is advanced to bring a new type into position for printing. It should be stated that the other member of the escapement on the meridian-wheel is, as before, provided in an upward-extending pawl held against the ratchet by a spring in all respects like the pawl I". As in the case of the minute-tens Wheel mechanism, the motion of the hourwheel and meridian-wheel mechanism is of such an intermittent character as to afford sufficient clearance for the dropping of the lift-arm at the proper time.

The arms F, I and K are substantially alike in construction, and to the face of each is secured a spring 0 which engages a projection on the pawl F 1 and K, to hold the same normally with its point elevated and in engagement with the ratchet-teeth.

From the foregoing description of the arrangement of mechanisms for bringing into proper operative position the minute-units, minutetens, hour and meridian printingwheels it will be observed that power for driv- IIS ing these mechanisms is supplied by the spring I), which is wound constantly (to be released every minute) by the power from the clock-train. The power for the printingtrain is thus distributed and becomes a constant and equal load upon the clock-train. In this way the time-keeping qualities of the clock are not in any way impaired.

The rod r is provided to carry the period printing-lever L, which is held against turning on its bearing by the downward projection L, which engages the rod r (See Fig. 21.) The end of the lever which carries the projecting printing-point L extends from the rod between the hour printing-wheel 4 and the minute-tens wheel 3, but it is capable of sliding on its bearing so that it may project between another pair of wheels. As many period printing-levers L may be employed as desired.

Upon an examination of Fig. 25, the arrangement of type upon the meridian, minute-units, minute-tens, and hour printingwheels will be apparent.

The meridian printing-(1i sk hub is extended outward and carries at its opposite enda cam )l. (Shown in elevation in Fig. 2 and in side elevation in Fig. 5.) This cam has one step and rotates with the meridian-wheel. It

therefore has one revolution in twenty-four hours. Engaging this cam is a liftarm M,

the lower end of which is secured to the shaft 1", which extends from the plates Y to Y and the connection therefore causes the intermittent oscillation of the shaft. The liftarm Ill is held in engagement with the cam by the spring M Fig. 3, which extends from the arm M secured to the rock-shaft by means of a hub and set-screw to the pillar M". At a point intermediate of the connection of the arms M and hi there is secured to the rock-shaft by hub and pin the escapement-arm N, the upper end of which carries a pin N, which engages the ratchet-teeth forming the two-part escapement on the dateunits printing-wheel. These ratchet-teeth are in number equal to the number of type on the printing-face of the wheel and are arranged relatively the same distance apart as the numbertype on the periphery. The arrangement of number-type will be more fully explained farther on. On the same face the date-units printing-wheel carries apinion N which meshes with the gear-wheel N on the shaft 0. The shaft extends forward from the plate Y and has its bearings independent of the time-train of the clock. At the plate Y a spring 0 surrounds the shaft 0 being inclosed within a barrel q and the barrel is provided with a handle 0 for turning it, located outside of the frame. The ratchetteeth upon the barrel engaged by the springcontrol led pawl q are supplied for the usual purpose, and the operation of the mechanism is to permit the barrel to be revolved to wind up the spring, the release of the spring effectin g the rotation of the shaft to which its other end is connected. By reason of the connection of the shaft through the gearwheel N and pinion N to the escapement N the movement of which is controlled by the cam ill connected with the meridian printingwheel, it will be apparentthat the release of the spring 0 takes place once in twenty-four hours. It may here be stated that the motion of the shaft obtained from the spring 0 is communicated through spurdisks to the date-tens and month printingwheels, respectively, which are therefore operated thereby, as will presently be described.

The arrangement of numbers upon the date-units wheel is clearly shown in Fig. 17 that is to say, there are serially arranged eight spaces of equal dimension followed by a double space, then an equal space, and then again a double space. In the spaces arranged equidistant from each other are the numbers 1 to 9, following which is a blank, and then 0, followed by the number 1 and a blank, after which comes the first number 1. The purpose of this arrangement of numbers will be apparent when it is remembered that in a time-stamp of the character herein described provision must be made for the irregular monthsto wit, a month of twenty-eight, twenty-nine, or thirty days, as well as for the month of thirty-one days. On the other hand, while providing for the skipping of one, two, or three days, as the case may be, it is also requisite to provide against the repetition of the number 1 at the twelfth or twenty-second day. This repetition is necessary in moving from a thirtyone-day month to the next month, in which case the unit l must be brought into printing position twice during two consecutive days.

The printing-wheel No. 5, as will be observed upon examination of Figs. 16, 17, and 18, is provided on its face with the irregular intern al ratchet P, forming one member of the escapement and upon the same hub with the previously mentioned escapement disk N The teeth on the disk N are coincident with the teeth on the ratchet P, and the pin N on the escapement'arm N is adapted to engage the faces of the teeth formed on the ratchetwheel P and on the wheel N Thus the part P and part N' supply the two members of the escapement, one of which causes the escape and the other the detention. Between the disks is a spring P secured to the disk N at one end and at the other to the web of the printing-wheel 5. The function of this spring is to bring about a movement of the disk N" with respect to and independent of the movement of the printing-wheel 5 and hence independent of the movement of the ratchet P. This forward movement of the disk N occurs only when the escapement-arm N is elevated out of engagement with the teeth upon the disk, and the force of the spring P is sufficient to advance the disk far enough to permit the engaging face of the teeth of the disk to pass beyond the pin N of the escapement-arm. From the inner face of the disk N' there projects a pin N, which. extends into a hole N formed in the web of the printing-wheel. The hole N is elongated as compared with the dimension of the pin to permit a motion of the disk with regard to the printing-wheel limited by the width of the hole but sufficient to enable the disk N" to move suificiently far to carry one of its teeth away from the pin N" on the escapement-arm. On the other hand, the advance of the type-wheel is checked by the engagement of the opposite wall of the hole N with the pin N the disk N being held by engagement of one of its teeth with the escapementarm. It is to be understood that the differential movement between one member and the other of the escapement is due to the tension of the spring P.

Upon the shaft 0 near the gear-wheel N two spur-disks Q R are mounted, the former being the actuating-spur of the date tens printing-wheel and the latter the actuating spur of the month printing -wheel. These spur-disks R Q are mounted upon the shaft 0 through the medium of a hub 01. and setscrew n, whereby their position with relation to the shaft and hence to the position of the date-units type-wheel may be varied. The spur-disk Q is provided with four spurs, one of which operates on the tenth day, the second on the twentieth, the third on the thirtieth and the last on the first day of the month. The movement of this disk amounts to a complete revolution in thirty-one days, the .motion being intermittent from day to day-towit, coincident with the release of the spring Oand the spurs being so arranged as to engage the ratchet on the date-tens printingwheel on the tenth, twentieth, thirtieth and first day of the month. The printing-wheel No. 6 is provided on its face with. a ratchet Q, the teeth of which are engaged by the spurs (g on the spur-disk Q, before described. The month printing-wheel No. 7 is also supplied on its face with a ratchet R ,whieh is engaged by the single spur-point R on the spur-disk B. As in the case of the minute-tens and hourratchets the return motion is prevented by upward-eXtending pawls journaled upon the rod 1' and in all respects like the curved arm F. (Shown in Fig. 11.) Inasmuch as the power which moves the date-units wheel from day to day is the same power as that required for moving as well the date-tens wheel and the month-wheel, the spur-disks being fast to the shaft 0 are therefore controlled through the gear-wheel N by the motion of the dateunits type-wheel through its escapement and the motion of the date-units type-wheel by virtue of the unequal spacing of the type. The date-units type-wheel under the single spacing moves an insuflicient distance to allow the spur-disks sufiiciently to advance the date-tens type-wheel and the month type wheel. Therefore, between the ninth and tenth day of the month the extra space is given to give the needed annular motion of the spurgears to throw over the date-tens wheel and the months-wheel at the proper time by reason of the engagement of the spurs with the ratchets Q, and R This feature of the annular motion of the spur-disk It is shown by the dotted illustration of the location of the spur after its movement in Fig. 19. The space thus covered in the motion of the spur is twice as great as the space through which the spur moves under the intermitting action due to the engagement of the eseapement with the ratchet-teeth of uniform dimension, during which time the spur is out of engagement with the ratchet The same relative motion occurs in the case of the spurs Q on the spur-disk Qthat is to say, between the numbers 1anc 9 the distance traveled by the spur is, in each motion, one-half the distance necessary when engaging the ratchet Q. The additional annular movement is provided for by increasing the length of the escape ment in the escapcment mechanism. (Shown in Figs. 16 and 1.7.) It will be noted, more over, that the spurs after engaging and moving the ratchet-teeth Q R are until another date maintained in the advanced position and act to stop any forward motion of the ratchet or the wheel carried thereby that might otherwise occur at this time. On the change for the next day the spurs are farther advanced and become free of the ratchet-teeth.

The provision for adjusting the operation of the various mechanisms involved in the month and date printing-wheels and providing for months 'arying from twenty-eight days to tl'iirty-one days is in the form of what may be termed a skipping device. (Shown in detail in Fig 22, 2t and 27, and alsoillustrated in part in Figs. 3 and Upon the shaft 0 there is mounted to slide freely thereon a disk S, from the forward face of which project three studs having the outline configuration in each instance of a cam. Of these studs two, 0 c, are in the form of a singlestep camthat is to say, that each. lifts and allows to fall the engaging-arm only once. The third stud d has three steps, (1 (Z d", which in the order named project gradually a greater distance from the face of the disk S. Hence in the case of the stud (Z, at a point in exact line with the shallower step d, an arm located in the line of movement will be subjected to live lifting and dropping actions in a complete revolution of the disk. In a line slightly away from the face of the disk, where the shallowest step d is not engaged, but four such actions occur, in the second position but three, and in the farthest position but two to wit, those due to the engagement in the respective series of the steps (I d", c and c, the steps (1, c and c and the steps 0 and c. As will presently be described, the function of the graduallywider arrangement of the cam-studs is to permit the skipping mechanism to be varied in its operation to cause ITO ' proper provision to be made for months varying in their number of days from twenty-eight to thirty-one. If such afeature is not desired, however, it is quite obvious that one of two procedures may be taken, either to dispense with the cam-studs which will not be used or to dispense with adjusting means presently described, which moves the disk longitudinally upon its shaft, and in place thereof to fix the disk upon its shaft by a set-screw, collar or other equivalent device. Surrounding the hub upon which the disk S is mounted is a sprin S", the opposite end of which bears against a plate S secured to the hub 72, and thereby held to rotate with the shaft. The plate S is perforated to receive the reduced end of a stud which extends forward from the face of the disk S. The function of this s1 ad is merely to cause the disk to rotate with the shaft. The movement of the disk S toward the plate S against the resistance of the spring is accomplished by an arm T, Figs. and 5, which arm has a fixed pivot at its lower end in a stud T extending rearward from the frame. Upon the rear face of this arm is provided a projection or lug T Secured to the plate tobe freely rotated by a hand-wheel extendin g from the rear face of the frame is a cam-wheel U, having on its inward projecting edges three cam-surfaces and two stops. (Indicated respectively at a a a a and 6 Z), Fig. 26.) The lug or projection T is in line with the edge of the cam-wheel U and serves, by engagement with the stops Z) Z), to prevent the rotation of the cam-wheel, beyond the proper limits, and being engaged by the cam-sun faces a a a a is pressed inward the distance allowed by the cam. The upper end of the arm T bears against the disk S and for convenience is notched at its upper end to embrace the shaft O. It follows that by setting the wheel U by hand the position longitudi nally of the shaft 0 of the disk S maybe fixed.

As before mentioned, the disk S is provided with three sets of spurs, which are indicated in Fig. 27 at c, c and (Z. Of these spurs those lettered c and c are the broadest in the sense that they project farthest outward from the face of the disk. The studs (or steps of a stud) assembled at (Z are respectively and gradually less in width than the studs 0 c, the stud or step (1 being about the width of the disk, the stud or step (1 double this width and the stud or step d treble this width. The studs (.2 and c are four times the width of the stud d. It is understood, of course, that this progressive increase is purely arbitrary, the effect being supplied by any amount of increase, as will presently appear. Extending upward from the shaft is an arm V, terminating at its upper end ina hook-shaped point, the point of the hook being in the line of movement of the studs 011 the disk S, so that the arm lifted to rock the shaft when engaged by either of these studs, according to the position thereof. The position of the arm V upon the rock-shaft, although adjustable through the medium of the set-screw, as indicated in Fig. 3, is during the operation of the apparatus fixed. The disk S, however, is adapted to be moved upon the shaft O by turning the cam-wheel U. In this way the relative position of the arm V and the disk S may be changed so that in the rotation of the disk only the broader studs 0 0 will engage and lift the arm, or the studs 0, c and (Z engage and lift the arm V, or these three and the stud (1 or these four with the stud cl will engage and lift the arm V. As before stated, the difference in width of the various studs is such that while the broader set will engage the arm V in their travel the next broader may pass it by without engagement. To move the disk S the requisite distance to provide for this, the four cam-surfaces a a a a are such as to move the arm T an equivalent distance to bring about the inward motion of the disk S.

For convenience, as illustrated in Fig. 4, I attach to the cam-wheel U on the rear of the frame a pointer and mark upon the back plate the numbers 31, 30, 29 and 28, the number 31 indicated by the pointer showing that the deepest cam a is in engagement with the stud T and that therefore the disk S is in such relation to the upward-extending arm V that the latter will be engaged twice in one complete rotation of the disk S. On the other hand the pointer indicating 28 marks the fact that the shallowest step a is in engagement with the stud T and that therefore the disk S is in such relation to the arm V that the latter will be engaged by all the studs 0 c and (1 d (Z in a complete revolution. The intermediate positions of the pointer mark the engagement of the intermediate steps 30 and 29, whereby respectively three and four of the studs engage the liftarm. The purpose of this arrangement will be readily seen. As before mentioned, provision must be made for the presence of two types number 1 on the date units printing-wheel,inas much as the motion of this wheel at the end of the thirtyone-day month will involve the employment of the number l twice. On the eleventh and twenty-first days of each month, however, it is equally necessary that the following number 1 shall not be presented for printing, but must be skipped. Likewise in a month of but thirty days the second number 1 following must also be skipped, and in a month of twenty-nine days the 0 and number 1 must be skipped, and in a month of twentyeight days the 9, O and number 1 must be skipped, referring here, of course, to the change from one month to the next. As in the month of thirty-one days the only skipping requisite is that on the eleventh and twentyfirst days, the broadest studs 0 0 alone engage the arm V, the engagement being timed to occur when the date mechanism has arrived at the eleventh and twenty-first days of the month, respectively. This is accomplished by locating the studs upon the disk in such posiing-surfaee.

tion that as the latter is revolved with the shaft the studs 0 c, and it may be mentioned the other studs (Z and (P, will engage the arm V at the proper time. The lifting of the arm V and the rocking of the shaft 0'' lifts the arm N to operate the escapement step by step, thereby bringing about the skipping of the spaces independent of the motion otherwise derived solely through the cam M on the meridianwheel.

To permit the setting of the mechanism independent of the position of the minute or hour hand of the clock I have found it desirable to employ the following details: First, to set the date units and tens and months, the arm M extending laterally from the rockshaft 0- and serving as a means for the attachment of the spring H is extended outward from the frame and provided with a handle. B y lowering this against the resistance of the spring the rock-shaft 4' may be oscillated to operate the date-units escapement step by step until the proper time is indicated at the print- The clock is also provided with a setting device for all the typewheels, which at the same time sets the hands of the clock, and it comprises a knob extending from the rear face of the frame and connected with the fourth-wheel shaft G, which it turns, turning with it, of course, the gear-wheel. E through the spring D in the barrel D and operating the minute-units escapement by means of the cam 13 fast to the shaft an, and thus the datestamping mechanism throughout. The construction of the mechanism by means of which the type-wheels are advanced independently of the time-escapement is as follows: The gearwhecl V on the shaft C meshes with a pinion on the fifth-wheel shaft. On this shaft is mounted the gear-wheel 5, Figs. 3 and 30, which is held in engagement with the collar on the shaft by a friction-springw", the pressure of which is sufficient to hold the wheel 5 to its shaft to transmit through the wheel 5' to the clock-escapement the power supplied to the gear-wheel TV on the shaft 0. The great power given to the wheel W in setting is sufficient to cause the shaft 00 to rotate independently of wheel 5' by overcomin g the friction of the spring-clamping device which in the normal movement holds this gear-wheel to the shaft. Thus the forward setting of the typewheels by turning the knob on shaft C is accomplished by actuating the whole type-wheel mechanism in the same manner as is norm ally done by the time-escapement, the only difference being that the friction device v allows the operation to be performed in a shorter time.

From the foregoing description of the nature of the preferred construction the operation, as will readily be seen, is as follows: The time-train causing a constant revolution of heart-shaped cam B actuates the escapement connected with the minute-units wheel,

and at the same time, by revolving the shaft 0, produces a constant winding of the spring D in the barrel D. Thus in the tin'ie-keeping train there is a constant and uniform application of power, which, by reason of the escapement restraining the release of the spring for one minute at a time, produces a conservation of this power in the spring and the instantaneous transmission therefrom of the conserved power obtained throughout the period of its restraint. On the release of the spring, due to the movement of the escapement 3 engaging the minuteunits ratchet, the barrel D moves and carries with it the three-stepped cam-disk G, which in turn lifts the arm F, which carries with it the pawl F a sufficient distance so that when ten movements have occurred in the minute-units wheel the minute-tens wheel shall be advanced one space. At the same time the gear connection between the barrel D, through the pinion E and gear-wheel H" upon the hub on the third-wheel shaft of the clock-train, causes a similar intermitting rotation in the cam-disks ll and H the motion of the former of which is transmitted through the arm F to the hour printing-wheel to cause the advance of the same twice in one revolution of the hub and the latter through the arm K to the meridian printingwheel to cause the advance of the latter once in the revolution of the hub. Thus by the proper arrangement of gearing the motion of the hour-wheel takes place once per hour and the motion of the meridianwheel takes place once in two hours.

During the operation of the mechanisms relating to the hour, minute-tens, minuteunits and meridian wheels the cam connected with the last-named wheel is in engagement with the arm M, which is rigidly connected with the rock-shaft carrying the escapementarm N, the latter of which engages the twopart escapement upon the date-units print ing-wheel, and as the meridian-wheel camM revolves once in twenty-four hours and is provided with a single step it follows that the escapement on the date-units wheel is actuated once per day. The spring 0, which is shown as adapted to be wound by hand, but may be Wound by the time-train if desired or in any other manner, is constantly exerting, through the shaft 0 and gears N and M a rotating power upon the date-units wheel, which becomes an active motion when the escapement is released. Thus the escapement on the dateunits wheel, though. different in construction and actuation, exerts the same influence upon the spring which moves it as the escapement upon the minute-units wheel exerts upon the spring D. This spring 0 through the shaft 0, also revolves spurdisks Q, and R, the former of which has four steps to engage the date-tens wheel and the latter of which has a single step to engage the month-wheel, the motion of both being intermitting on the release of the spring by the escapement described. The four spurs on the date-tens spur-disk Q cause a motion in the date-tens wheel on the tenth, twentieth,

thirtieth and first days of the month, to produce a change in the number printed by the date-tens wheel from blank to 1, to 2, to $3, to blank. In the month printing-wheel the movement of spur-disk R causes an advance once a month. In connection with this mechanism the skipping mechanism, which acts upon the escapement-arm N, comes into use if instead of a thirty-one-day month a month of a less number of days is to be pro vided for. As the position of the disk S is such that under all conditions the lift-arm V is engaged by a cam-stud c c on the eleventh an d twenty-first days of the month, it of course follows that at these times the escapement upon the date-units wheel moves independent of the motion of the meridian-cam M the extent of one notch, so that although there are necessarily two adjacent numbers 1 on the date-units wheel, but one of these is presented for printing between the tenth and twelfth or twentieth and twenty-second days of the month. If a month of thirty days is to be provided for then the similar skipping act-ion must take place from the thirtieth to the first of the next month as the intermediate l. is not required, and hence the provision of the cam-stud (1 which by varying the position of the disk S is brought into position to engage the lift-arm V. Soif twenty-nine days are to be provided for the O and l must be skipped, and hence the proy ision of four cam-studs (Z d c 0, brought into action by varying the position of the disk S. So with a month of twenty-eight days only all five steps are brought into operative position. The location of the disk S upon its shaft is governed by the position of the cam-wheel U, the steps upon which correspond with the various positions desired in the wheel S. These steps bear against the lug on the arm T, which in turn presses against the disk S against the resistance of the spring S From the foregoing description of the operation of the various devices it'will at once be apparent that. the invention herein described is in no sense limited to a time-stamp. The ultimate use to be made of the wheels 1 to 7 or of one or more of these wheels is not a necessary part of the invention. They may be themselves employed for visual indication of time, or what is termed a visual calendar, the numbers upon their faces being disclosed in the usual manner. They, or any of them, may serve as an element of a connection for distributing the motion provided for to a distance-that is to say, to cause the somewhat limited motion of these disks to produce a similar but increased motion in larger type for a visual calendar. It is also to be observed that the arrangement with relation to each. other of the various printingwheels is not a necessary part of my invention, and of course that the employment of all the printing-wheels shown is a matter of choice.

No special description has herein been given of the name-plate and presser, nor of the printing-ribbon, as these are of the kind usually found in devices of this nature. On this name-plate is supplied the necessary type or engraving to print the year, and it may also be supplied with type to print months or even days if the printing-wheels numbered respectively 7, 6 and 5 are to be omitted in the construction of the mechanism herein claimed.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a time stamp, in combination with a main power train actuating the time escapement and continuously winding a secondary spring which actuates the type wheels, a gear Wheel transmitting power to the minute units type wheel and a cam transmitting power to the minute-tens type wheel rigidly joined together and connected to said secondary spring tomove simultaneously with the latter, the secondary spring, and an escapement controlled by the time train to release intermittingly said secondary spring, substantially as described.

2. In a time stamp having a main power train actuating the time escapement and continuously winding a secondary spring which actuates the type wheels, the combination of a gear wheel transmitting power to the minute units type wheel and a cam transmitting power to the minute tens type wheel rigidly joined togetherand connected to said secondary spring to move simultaneously with the latter, the secondary spring, an escapement controlled by the time train to intermittingly release said secondary spring,and a cam transmitting power to the hour type wheel connected by gearing to the secondary spring and receiving intermitting motion from the latter, substantially as described.

3. In a time stamp having a main power train actuating the time escapement and continuously winding a secondary spring which actuates the type wheels, the combination of a gear wheel transmitting power to the minute units type wheel and a cam transmitting power to the minute tens type wheel rigidly joined together and connected to said secondary spring to move simultaneously with the latter, the secondary'spring, an escapement controlled by the time train to intermittingly release said secondary spring, and cams, transmitting power respectively to the hour and meridian type wheels, mounted together and connected by gearing to the secondary spring and receiving intermitting motion from the latter, substantially as described.

4:. In a time stamp, the combination of the hour and meridian type wheels, the pawl and ratchet mechanisms for the same and the hour and meridian cams mounted on the same hub having intermittent rotary motion at intervals coincident with the movement of the minute type wheel, for operating the respective pawl and ratchet mechanisms, whereby the hour and meridian type wheels are caused to IIO be set in exact unison, substantially as described.

5. In a time stamp, the combination of the hour and meridian cams II and II mounted on a hub 11, formed in two sections, one of said sections being an adjustable sleeve fastened to the gear H by means of which the cams can be conveniently placed. in relation with respect to the other mechanism, substantially as described.

(3. I11 a time stamp, the combination of a secondary train actuated intermittently by the main power train through an intermediate spring, at intervals eoincidentwith the movement of the minute type-wheel, the minute tens, hour and meridian type wheels arranged substantially as described, ratchet and pawl mechanisms for the respective type wheels and cams for the ratchet and pawl mechanisms mounted on the shafts of the secondary power train, all the parts of the secondary train being positively geared together so that at all times movement of one part moves the rest, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

'7. In a time stamp, the combination of a date units type wheel actuated by a separate motor-spring, an escapement controlling the motion of said type wheel, an oscillating escapement arm, for said escapement, a clock train, a secondary spring wound by said clock train and a connection between said secondary spring and said escapement arm to lift the latter, substantially as described.

8. In a time stamp, the combination of a date-printing wheel having on its face an escapement comprising two members, one moving uniformly with the wheel and the other having in part a motion independent thereof with the stops of said escapement arranged in conformity with the arrangement of the type on the wheel, an escapement arm adapted to engage said stops, and means, substan tially as described, for lifting said escapement arm intermittingly, substantially as described.

9. In a time stamp, in combination with the date printing wheel having date type upon its periphery arranged in part irregularly, as herein described, an escapement comprising two members one moving uniformly with the wheel and the other having in part a motion independent thereof, an escapement arm upon a shaft, said arm engaging said escapement members, a cam and connections oscillating said shaft, and intermitting mechanism controlling the operation of said cam, substantially as described.

10. In a time stamp, in combination, a date wheel, an escapement attached to said wheel comprising two members, one of which is capable of limited movement independent of the other and both of which move together when the limit of the independent movement is reached, a motor connected to revolve said wheel and escapement, an escapement arm engaging said escapement and mounted on a rock shaft, a meridian printing wheel, means for communicating an intermittent movement to said wheel and a connection between said meridian printing wheel an d said rock shaft, whereby the motion of the former is communicated to the latter once in twentyfour hours, substantially as described.

11. The escapement mechanism herein described comprising the annular member I and means for rotating the same, said member having interior teeth, the disk N having peripheral teeth coincident with the teeth on the ring P, a connection between said members, whereby they shall move together, but one shall have a limited movement independent of the other, and an oscillating arm engaging the teeth of the two members alternately, substantially as described.

12. The escapement herein described, comprising the following elements: the interior disk N, having peripheral teeth, the exterior ring P, having internal teeth, coincident with the teeth upon the member N", a spring connectin g the members and tcndin g to draw one forward independent of the other, a pin and. slot connection between the members to limit the independent motion due to the spring, a motor rotating said members and an escapement arm engaging the teeth on the members alternately, substantially as described.

13. In a time stamp, in combination the motor-spring for the date printing mechanism, a shaft receiving the power of said motor-spring when unwinding, a connection. between said shaft and the date-units wheel, a date units wheel carrying type numbered from 1 to O with an extra figure I, an escapement on the date-units wheel to produce an intermitting motion of said shaft, corresponding to the type on the date-units wheel, a spur disk on said shaft and moving therewith, and the date-tens printing wheel having a ratchet engaged by said spur disk, said disk provided with four spurs to engage the date-tens printing wheel ratchet, respectively, on the 10th, th, th and 1st days, substantially as described.

14:. In atime stamp, in combination, a dateunits wheel having the type arranged thereon in number irregularly, as shown, and provided with an escapement similarly arranged, a shaft, a motor rotating said shaft, a gear connection between said shaft and said dateunits wheel, aspur-disk on said shaft having several spurs, a printing-wheel having datetens engaged and rotated by said spurs, whereby the motion of the date-un its wheel at the point of increased space produces an increased motion in the date-tens operating spurs, substantially as described.

15. In a time stamp, in combination, a dateunits wheel having the type arranged thereon in number irregularly as shown, and pro- 

